CVE-2016-1168 in Aterm WF800HP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability on NEC Aterm WF800HP devices with firmware 1.0.17 and earlier allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The CVE-2016-1168 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw identified in NEC Aterm WF800HP wireless routers running firmware versions 1.0.17 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the authentication mechanisms of the affected devices, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any prior authentication credentials. The flaw specifically impacts the device's ability to properly validate incoming requests, allowing malicious actors to craft forged requests that appear to originate from authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms within the web interface of the NEC Aterm WF800HP devices. When legitimate users interact with the router's administrative interface, the system fails to adequately verify that requests are genuinely initiated by the authenticated user rather than being submitted through maliciously crafted web pages or attack vectors. This weakness enables attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions on behalf of legitimate users, potentially leading to complete device compromise and unauthorized network access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to network security and integrity. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute administrative functions such as changing network configurations, modifying user accounts, updating firmware, or accessing sensitive network information. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise as compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, potentially affecting multiple devices within the local network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network presence, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and home network environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications and network devices. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the authentication and request validation process that allows unauthorized operations to be performed under authenticated user sessions. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation and persistence phases of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, enabling adversaries to gain administrative access and maintain control over network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many users may not regularly update their router firmware, leaving devices vulnerable for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1168 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Organizations should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as NEC has likely released patches to implement proper CSRF token validation mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing network access control lists, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. Regular vulnerability assessments and firmware update policies should be established to prevent similar issues from occurring in other network equipment. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust network security practices to protect against authenticated attack vectors that can compromise network infrastructure.